I had a steroid injection exactly one week ago, and I have not noticed much of an improvement in my pain at all. If anything, it was just a tiny improvement, but nothing to get excited about. I walked 2 blocks to my polling site today and now I am in a lot of pain. That is pathetic if you ask me.
Did it not work for anyone else? Is it fairly common for it not to work? I don'tsee my orthopedic until Nov 19th. Do you think he will want to do another injection? Or do you think he will start talking surgery. I have Spondylolisthesis and last time I met with him he said that the injections and surgery were my options.

Hello megss - I do not know what "Spondylolisthesis" is but it doesn't sound good. I have had two epidural steroid injections for my lower-back, dis issues (L4/L5 and L5/S1). One was done the "usual" way, and one was administered using a flouroscope (basically same injection except that you are put under, and they are better able to guide precisely where the injection is released). Unfortunately, in both cases my injections actually increased my pain short-term (a couple days on my back) and were of no long term benefit. I was told by a different doc who performed my discogram that my results are not what the injections should do. I have arranged for, but not yet set a date with that doc for him to try another injection.

I am currently getting ready for a 2 level fusion of my lower back. L3-S1 area. I too had several of of the injections and they each only lasted a short time of maybe 2 days. I did not get any relief from them. i hate to give bad news like that but that was my experience. i wish you the best.

Thanks for your responses.
I did not notice a single day of relief. I also had increased pain for a couple of days but I was told that is normal. Today was a horrible pain day... from the walk I presume.
BigBlue- Spondylolisthesis is a condition where I have a fracture in my L5 pars, and it is causing my L5 vertebrae to slip forward. I have been in bad pain for 6 months now, but was only diagnosed with this about a month ago after I finally had an x-ray and MRI done. It is very painful. The surgery will consist of fusing my L5 and L4 to stop the slippage and prevent it from slipping in the future. I am terrified of surgery but it looks like that is my only option left.

I have very little relief from epidural injections. I had 2 nerve blocks. The first nerve block was pretty successful and the second one increased my pain tremendously. One just never knows whether they will work or not and for the few that these work for, it is a blessing.

I have had several of these injections, some work/some don't, but what I have learned is that it depends on the location of the injection as to what degree of pain relief I get. Even though my L4L5 Disc is the culprit, sometimes it tales 2 levels of injections to relieve the pain & inflammation. I get good results from a L4,L5 and S1 epidural steriod injection done within 2 weeks of each other. Holds me for about 2 months, scheduled for surgery Dec 29.

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you all. I have been miserable for the last couple of days and unable to make it on the computer.
I found out that there was no epidural in my injection. I had a nerve block. I am not sure what they used as a numbing agent, but they told me it should last the remainder of the evening, and it only lasted about 30 minutes. I was able to get my follow up appointment with my ortho moved up to this coming Tuesday, the 11th, as opposed to the 19th. I am terrified he will think I am a liar.
Thank you all for your responses. I am just at my witts end at this point. It is becoming more difficult to get up and face each day. The only thing that puts a smile on my face these days is my beautiful daughter. But even there, I feel depressed because I have become such a bum mother. I need help taking care of her when my husband is at work (she is only 14 months old). I am wondering if my slippage could have increased since my last MRI, because my pain is only getting worse. I have decided that my headaches are a result of the spondy, and not my meds or the steroid injection. They are just not getting better, and they are only on my left side, which is where the majority of my back and sciatic pain are.
Thanks again!

megss - I truly hope your appointment goes well today! You will be in my thoughts. Let us know how things turn out when you are able. Try to keep smiling! My back condition is different than yours, but I know the feelings regarding family. I often feel like a bum husband and father due to my limitations in assisting around the house and doing things with my young son and daughter. Sometimes all you can do is the best you can and keep on smiling ..... no matter how much we want to cry. Hang tough.

Thanks BigBlue for your words of wisdom! I am sorry you are having similiar troubles. Where is Enfield, CT? I used to live in Fairfield.
Anyway, I had my appointment today and will be having spinal fusion surgery. I was a little surprised that he didn't want to try another injection. Now I am waiting on an appointment with the surgeon and then it will get scheduled. I am scared but know this is what I have to do, especially since my husband and I want more children.
Good luck to you!!!

Hello meggs! Enfield is in the northern part of the state right near the Massachusetts border. Ironically enough, I've just scheduled yet another injection for December 2nd! Why you may ask, since the first 2 only made me worse? Well, after spending an entire 5 days without hardly getting out of bed, and being prescribed morphine to go along with all my other medication, I'll try just about anything! Good luck with the suregery. I hope it goes well! Keep us posted! Nothing would make me happier than to hear that some form of surgery actually HELPED someone.

I have not had surgery... yet. I was referred to a surgeon, but he has ordered more tests (a CT scan and a discogram) and is sending me to PT for a month and more injections before doing the fusion. It has been determined that I need a 2 level fusion.